Rain sensor

• US 5,598,146 A
• Filed: 07/10/1995
• Issued: 01/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Inventors: Schroder, Hans-Joachim
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US08/500,417
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 340/602, 340/603, 340/620, 340/601, 318/443, 318/444, 318/DIG. 2, 307/10.1, 15/250.17
• US Class Current: 340/602
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0851 Resistive rain sensor

Abstract

A rain sensor which is arranged on the outside of the windshield of a motor vehicle in a region which can be passed over by a windshield wiper and has at least one conductive track which is connected to an electric potential within the motor vehicle. A loop resistance of the conductive track (1, 2) is measured for the electrical detection of a tear.

Claims

1. A rain sensor located on the outside of the windshield of a motor vehicle in a region passed over by a windshield wiper, the sensor comprising:

at least one conductive track which is connected to an electric potential within the motor vehicle,

wherein said at least one conductive track configured as a loop to permit measurement of a loop resistance of the conductive track for an electrical detection of a tear in said at least one conductive track.

2. A rain sensor according to claim 1, wherein said loop comprises a base conductive track and an auxiliary conductive track located on the windshield, said auxiliary track being connected electrically to said base conductive track and extending over an edge of the windshield from the outside of the vehicle into the inside of the vehicle.

3. A rain sensor according to claim 2, wherein said auxiliary conductive track is parallel to the longitudinal direction of said base conductive track, and is connected to the base conductive track at an end of the sensor structure distant from the edge of the windshield of the vehicle.

4. A rain sensor according to claim 2, wherein said base conductive track and said auxiliary conductive track comprise a thin-film.

5. A circuit for detecting a tear in the conductive track of a rain sensor A rain sensor located on the outside of the windshield of a motor vehicle in a region passed over by a windshield wiper, the sensor comprising:

at least one conductive track which is connected to an electric potential within the motor vehicle,

wherein said at least one conductive track configured as a loop to permit measurement of a loop resistance of the conductive track for an electrical detection of a tear in said at least one conductive track.

a rain sensor according to claim 2, wherein said auxiliary conductive track is parallel to the longitudinal direction of said base conductive track, and is connected to the base conductive track at an end of the sensor structure distant from the edge of the windshield of the vehicle;

said detecting circuit comprises a tear detection device located within the vehicle, and an evaluation circuit for controlling the windshield wiper; and

said base conductive track and said auxiliary conductive track are each connected to a terminal of said tear detection device, said base conductive track being connected to a terminal of said evaluation circuit.

6. A circuit according to claim 5, further comprising an emergency control;

wherein upon recognition of a tear in the conductive track by said tear detection device, said evaluation circuit switches said windshield wipers to said emergency control.

7. A circuit according to claim 6, wherein said emergency control provides for intermittent operation of said windshield wipers.

8. A circuit according to claim 5, wherein said tear detection device is a part of said evaluation circuit for controlling the windshield wiper.